"Figures are for BWA affiliated conventions/unions only (no independents included). "; Table with 3 columns: Country, "Churches ", & "Members "; "1997/1998 Totals "; [BWA stats. in individual countries are sum of figures for member bodies of BWA in the countries.]; [County population figures for 1998 from United Nations data available here.]

Table: "Population Distribution of Major Beliefs "; "Figures have been compiled from the most accurate recent available information and are in most cases correct to the nearest 1% "; Protestant "includes all non-Roman Catholic denominations "

Total population: 1,463. (Territory of New Zealand) Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2%. note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic

Total population: 1,463. (Territory of New Zealand) Congregational Christian Church 70%, Roman Catholic 28%, other 2%. note: on Atafu, all Congregational Christian Church of Samoa; on Nukunonu, all Roman Catholic

"Two blocks north on Fatefeihi Road is the Anglican Church, looking as though it would be more at home in an English country lan, and therefore almost as incongruous as the others [other church buildings]. To add to the incongruity, the Anglican Church in Tonga was actually set up in Ha'apai in 1899 by the Rev. Shirley Baker, probably author of the famous constitution of 1875, but by the end of the century a renegade Methodist, since he had fallen from grace with both the Wesleyans and the Free Church! Baker had little success as an Anglican preacher since his credentials were of dubious authenticity and, in any event, he died in Ha'apai in 1903. The present church was built in 1929-30. There are not many Anglicans in Tonga. "

Assemblies of God

Tonga

1,110

-

-

-

1986

*LINK* "Tonga's Census of Church Members Released " (March 12, 1998 - PACNEWS); posted on Tonga history newsgroup web page: "Re: % of Christians in Tongan population " (viewed 22 May 1999).

"Of a total population of approximately 97,000... according to the kingdom's latest census of churchgoers.... Tongan government statistics department... The Assembly of God Church achieved the highest percentage membership growth, 91.5%, during the last ten years, almost doubling its 1996 membership of 1,110. " [Perhaps the year mentioned here, doubling since "1996 " is a typo, and what is meant is that the church's size has almost doubled since 1986.]

Assemblies of God

Tonga

2,000

2.06%

-

-

1996

*LINK* "Tonga's Census of Church Members Released " (March 12, 1998 - PACNEWS); posted on Tonga history newsgroup web page: "Re: % of Christians in Tongan population " (viewed 22 May 1999).

"Of a total population of approximately 97,000... according to the kingdom's latest census of churchgoers.... Tongan government statistics department... The Assembly of God Church achieved the highest percentage membership growth, 91.5%, during the last ten years, almost doubling its 1996 membership of 1,110. " [Perhaps the year mentioned here, doubling since "1996 " is a typo, and what is meant is that the church's size has almost doubled since 1986.]

"Sunday rules and regulations are strictly adhered to and it is only with the advent of tourism in Tonga that some people are permitted to actually work on Sunday. Even so, only the most necessary tasks are performed; the servicing of hotel rooms does not normally come under this classification... Sunday is for going to church and being with the family and whether the visitor has religious interests or not, attending any church service in Tonga is an excellent activity to occupy an hour or two on what can otherwise be a very quiet day. The Tongans often attend several services during the course of the day... The overflowing churches resound with their rich voices lifted in song... "

Table: "Population Distribution of Major Beliefs "; "Figures have been compiled from the most accurate recent available information and are in most cases correct to the nearest 1% "

Catholic

Tonga

14,000

14.50%

13units

-

1995

1998 Catholic Almanac: Our Sunday Visitor: USA (1997), pg. 333-367.

Figures are as of Dec. 31, 1995. Number used for "congregations " is from number of Catholic parishes.

Catholic

Tonga

15,309

15.78%

-

-

1996

*LINK* "Tonga's Census of Church Members Released " (March 12, 1998 - PACNEWS); posted on Tonga history newsgroup web page: "Re: % of Christians in Tongan population " (viewed 22 May 1999).

"Of a total population of approximately 97,000... according to the kingdom's latest census of churchgoers.... Tongan government statistics department. The Roman Catholic Church ranked second in Tongan church members with 15,309... "

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